Stories for May 12th 2017

Venezuela has large caches of weapons that are at risk of falling into the wrong hands, the head of the Central Intelligence Agency told a Senate panel Thursday, adding, It's a real threat. CIA Director Mike Pompeo shared that assessment at a Senate intelligence committee hearing.

With more than 20 million nurses and midwives making up almost half of the entire global health workforce, Dr David Nabarro, candidate for Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has pledged his support for increasing nurse leadership at WHO.

Ex Brazilian President Lula da Silva's combative testimony before a federal judge this week did little to dismantle the graft case against him and improve his chances of securing a new term in office. Lula, a founder of the leftist Workers Party (PT) that controlled Brazil's presidency from 2003 until last year, can only run in next year's presidential election if he avoids a conviction that is upheld on appeal.

The Government of Gibraltar has warmly congratulated Michael Llamas QC upon his appointment as Europe's representative in the highly prestigious and important Ethics Committee of FIFA. Llamas joins other highly distinguished lawyers and judges who will form part of the Ethics Committee. These include a former President of the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Queen Elizabeth attended a centenary service in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne College on Tuesday (May 9). The Duke of Edinburgh accompanied her in his first public engagement since announcing his retirement.

Conservative PM Theresa May will claim Labour has “deserted” working-class voters as she campaigns in the north east of England on Friday. She will pledge to campaign “in all corners” of the UK to reach those who have been “abandoned by Labour”.

Falklands calamari squid catches in the Falkland Islands have been good this season reports Director of Natural Resources John Barton, and this is particularly good news bearing in mind Illex catches have been “pretty mediocre,” so far.

The International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) has announced the appointment of Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith as Executive Director. Damon will lead the Secretariat and work with IAATO’s Executive Committee to ensure the association is functioning according to its mission of safe, environmentally responsible private-sector travel to Antarctica.

Members of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) have agreed to develop a science based conservation plan for the Antarctic Peninsula in collaboration with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) to support decision making for tourism management.